N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1890.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 942, 21 March 1890, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1890.

THE ENDS OF THE EABTH.

The ends of. the earth are being drawn together by the labour question. And parfci<eu~ larly at the ends cf the

earth is this apparent. Great Britain and her colonies are in the throes of a revolution, the far-reaching character of which is but imperfectly understood. Probable results are of such a magnitude, involve such a variety of interests, as to be out of the reckon ing of the common-place thinker. For probable results reach up to thrones and threaten dynasties. The London Times hinted at possibilities when it said that the present contest between labour and capital would be the greatest the world had ever seen. Kight through the labouring masses has flashed the intuition to combine for a purpose. These same masses seem to have just awakened to the fact that they can control their own destinies by wise and moderate yet resolute action. They have only to pull together, and not be menacing, to succeed. For what they asl: in icason must be conceded. This, shortly, is the effect of scientific co-operation,

I for to a science co-operation is being ! reduced, and as a science it will be [ beneficial, not harmful, as it ODce was when trades-unionism was associated with abominable outrage,- of which the boycotting of these days is a reflection: Labour has been thrown into strong but passing convulsions in Great Britain, and is mildly convulsed at this end. It is bestirring itself to improve the foundation, and if exj trernes are avoided nothing but good | can ensue. We use the term labour only in its application to the trades, including unskilled labour depending on the trades. But besides this there are other sections of the great working hive that are watching results and are girding their loins in self-defence. For it has become very apparent that every section of labour that has the slightest pretension to permanency must combine to ensure profitable existence.

The Colony is very much exercised just now about the sudden collapse of the hemp trade. The unexpected recession in prices has thrown tbe industry out ot gear, but it has, at the same time, put manufacturers of the hemp in hank on their mettle to devise a means to meet market exigencies. Tbe almost as sudden riee of the hemp industry in 1888 provoked hasty speculation, and * » - „,,e worn wss caaen up hurriedly and with crude appliances, but one idea influencing how to feed the market quickest. Economy of production was pot studied at all, and unconsidered charges were paid with a free hand, tor, hi»h though they were, there was a big profit behind them. Now thl3 is all changed. Mauufaofclii'Ors have been brought face to face with a very serious and awkward position. The capital they have invested in the appliances requisite for flax dressing is no longer And more than this, quite a number of workers are threatened by loss of occupation. And yet they know the position is too good to be abandoned, for an increase of a pound or two sterling in prices would bring them into touch with again. How to redder ex ~ pepsos, and consequently the eost ot ppoduQtion, is tho main consideration just now, and to this end manufacHirers of the raw hemp are co-operat-ing, qnd have started a “ Flax Millers’ As9opja|ign,-’wbifs h f if itbecorpesa gonp pactfedprqtjon thpughoptthe polony, must tend to giye the ‘fiernp trade status and permanency. Since the fall in prices all gpjjrces °l expense have been brought under rigorous review, and we can state authoritatively that not a few economies have already been effected at the mills. But it is thought, and think with reason, that a very might be com passed in .tjty? excessive cost of transit from tEe mills' £<? fcondon apd American markets, estimated at from £7 IQs to £0 per ton. Of this, Hie ocean freight is by far the largest item , while the charges in London are regarded as excessive, Without dogmatising go tfa.e pojqt, people interested, at this end, think the great English shipping interest ought to be able to carry hemp atJess fchae sifl.ety shillings per ton. Howover that ffliay be ? the Association aims at getting intp tfie closest possible touch with the Epropeap markets by controlling tbe whole sysr tem of conveyance and agencies, aufi sojreducing middle-men influence to & minimum. And more than this, agriculturists and the smaller pastoral men are muttering about reduced prices and lessened profits, and are considering the expediency of cooperating with the view p>f intercepting intermediate profits and conyortr ing them to their own use. They want also to be placed in as direct as possible tench with the European markets, and so etey that fatal drain upon profits that happens between the farm and station apd tfie purchaser in London. '

The cause of the drop in prices of farm produce and flax is believed to be understood here, With regard to the former the demand is the controlling factor, and if the markets are glutted prices must suffer. Last year Australia, suffering from the agonies of drought, made free demands for help from New Zealand, and took large quantities of all kinds of her produce. This year Australia not only supplies home consumption, but lms a large margin for export, We are glad it is so, for out* people would, we know, rather take a moderate profit from the English markets than blood-money from droughtstricken Australia, and hence the desire to make the English market always profitably available by sound

management. As for flax, it i shrfewdly siirmised here that tbfe market is being Worked in London, as it undoubtedly is in America, by u corners.” This Could easily be effected by a powerful syndicate first of all encouraging over-production, and then suddenly cheeking it. The subsequent period of restoration of tone through the shortness of supplies would be the syndicate’s opportunity. These surmises may be groundless, but they are entertained, at anyrate, and will help to keep the trade alive, for it is further surmised that a first - class article in quantity to just feed the market must bring a profit. Although the hemp industry has received a check here, it is by no means discouraged, and will persevere in two main directions—to economise the coat of production to the uttermost farthing, and to produce only a really good article. And we have no doubt this will bring about the desired result, especially as the supply of phormmm tenax is by no means inexhaustible. It has been gathered in wholesale during the past two years, but its production in marketable form will be governed by greater care and deliberation in future. Meantime the effort to consolidate and federate the agricultural and netnp industries will be sustained.